A BANNED driver who was caught driving a Ford Fiesta on Buckley Lane, Farnworth, on May 15 has been given a suspended prison sentence.

At Wigan Magistrates’ Court Mitchell Kirkby, aged 31, of Falcon Drive, Little Hulton, pleaded guilty to committing the offence and having no insurance.

Kirkby was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was told: “You have an appalling record of drug driving offences and have previously been sentenced for driving while disqualified.

“You knew full well that you were disqualified and deliberately chose to get into this vehicle and drive it. That is a blatant disregard of the order of disqualification.

“However, you are in gainful employment and the court feels that, in these particular circumstances, it is able to suspend this sentence.”

Kirkby must also pay £213 in costs and charges.